This Haut Bailly is regularly regarded amongst the very best in Bordeaux and often fetched prices higher than the First Growths in the Medoc. The Terroir has a long-standing history of greatness and within the last twenty years, this estate has produced the best wine that it ever has.
Regularly a recipient of the highest praise from top critics, Haut Bailly has been on a roll. The 2018 is being recognized as one of the best wines in the world, along with:
- #7 of James Sucking's Top 100 Wines of 2021
- 99 points, James Suckling
- 98 points, Jeb Dunnuck
- 98 points, Decanter
- 97 points, Antonio Galloni
- 96 points, Robert Parker
- 96 points, Wine Enthusiast
The exceptional 2018 vintage blessed this estate with perfect fruit and it certainly shows in the wine. This is a wine for the ages, although the 2018’s are approachable and delicious now, they have the structure and life to age gracefully for decades.
James Suckling tells us, "it’s safe to say that 2018 is a top vintage. I am certainly going to buy and drink some in the future. And I am sure you will too. The plush fruit and ripe tannins make so many of the wines attractive to drink young but they have the structure to age for a long time. It’s typical for a hot and dry year like 2009, 1989, 1982, and so on."
If you absolutely have to open these bottles today, which I 100% would not blame you for because they are undeniably delicious, you should be prepared to have your day rocked. You will want to have a fatty cut of beef plated up and someone to share it with because you will need to debrief with someone about the flavorful sensation tingling your body from head to toe.
